CVE-2023-4054 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2023
When opening appref-ms files, Firefox did not warn the user that these files may contain malicious code. *This bug only affects Firefox on Windows. Other operating systems are unaffected.* This vulnerability affects Firefox < 116, Firefox ESR < 102.14, and Firefox ESR < 115.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-4054 represents a critical security oversight in Firefox's handling of appref-ms files on Windows operating systems. This flaw specifically impacts the browser's user interface and security warning mechanisms, creating a potential attack vector that could lead to unauthorized code execution. Appref-ms files are Windows application reference files that can contain embedded executable code and are commonly used for installing applications through the Windows Installer system. When Firefox processes these files on Windows platforms, it fails to present appropriate security warnings to users, essentially bypassing the standard security checks that should alert users to potential malicious content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from Firefox's insufficient validation and user notification procedures when encountering appref-ms file types. These files can contain malicious code that executes automatically when opened, potentially allowing attackers to install malware, modify system settings, or perform other harmful actions. The vulnerability exists specifically within Firefox's Windows implementation and does not affect other operating systems, which suggests that the browser's Windows-specific file handling code lacks proper security checks for this particular file type. This behavior aligns with CWE-1004, which addresses insecure default permissions and inadequate security warnings in software applications, and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege during file processing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user inconvenience to potentially serious security compromise scenarios. Attackers could craft malicious appref-ms files that appear legitimate to users, exploiting the lack of warning messages to trick victims into executing harmful code. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where users might inadvertently open such files, potentially leading to full system compromise or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects multiple Firefox versions including standard releases and extended support releases, indicating that a substantial user base remains exposed to this risk. According to ATT&CK framework category T1566, this vulnerability enables initial access through malicious file attachments, while also mapping to T1059 for execution of malicious code through Windows Installer components.
Organizations and individual users should immediately update to Firefox versions 116, Firefox ESR 102.14, or Firefox ESR 115.1 to remediate this vulnerability. System administrators should consider implementing additional controls such as group policy restrictions on appref-ms file execution, network-based filtering of suspicious file types, and enhanced user education regarding the dangers of opening unknown file attachments. The security community should also monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, particularly in phishing campaigns that might leverage the lack of user warnings to deploy malware. Regular security audits should verify that browsers and operating systems are properly updated, and that appropriate security policies are in place to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious Windows installer files. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining comprehensive security awareness training and the necessity of robust file type handling mechanisms in web browsers, particularly on operating systems where such file types pose inherent security risks.